The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday said the near-term growth forecast for emerging Asia is "very positive," with 10.0 percent growth in China and 8.4 percent in India this year.

"Real GDP growth in the emerging Asia is expected to ease this year and next, but remain at a high level," said the IMF in its annual World Economic Outlook.

"This reflects some moderation in growth in China and India in response to policy tightening and slower growth among the NIEs as global demand for exports softens," said the report.

The IMF forecast world growth at 4.9 percent this year and 4.8 percent next, but the growth in emerging Asia will be 8.4 percent and 8.0 percent respectively.

China, the region's biggest and fastest growing economy, is expected to grow by 10.0 percent in 2007 and 9.5 percent in 2008, just a little bit lower than its 10.7-percent growth rate last year.

The growth forecast for India will be 8.4 percent and 8.0 percent respectively this year and next, said the report, adding that the ASEAN-4, namely Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia, will expand to 5.5 percent in 2007 and 5.8 percent next year.